Total cholesterol test

Total cholesterol is an important measure of both bad and good cholesterol. Other lab tests are done to measure specific amounts of good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol. A cholesterol breakdown including LDL and HDL is preferred under certain circumstances.

The total cholesterol values listed below are used to target therapy:

• Desirable: Under 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
• Borderline high: 200 to 239 mg/dL
• High risk: 240 mg/dL and higher

In general, a total cholesterol value over 200 mg/dL may mean you have a greater risk for heart disease. However, LDL levels are a better predictor of heart disease, and they determine how your high cholesterol should be treated.

High total cholesterol levels may be caused by:

• Biliary cirrhosis
• Familial hyperlipidemias
• High-fat diet
• Hypothyroidism
• Nephrotic syndrome
• Uncontrolled diabetes

Low cholesterol levels may be caused by:

• Hyperthyroidism
• Liver disease
• Malabsorption (inadequate absorption of nutrients from the intestinal tract)
• Malnutrition
• Pernicious anemia
• Sepsis

Images

Cholesterol producers

Review Date: 06/23/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)